Career and Education Opportunities for Hydrologists in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a population of 12,604,767, which has grown by 2.64% over the past 10 years. Nicknamed the "Keystone State," its capital is Harrisburg, though its biggest city is Philadelphia.

The national trend for hydrologists sees this job pool growing by about 18.2% over the next eight years. Hydrologists generally research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.

Hydrologists earn approximately $39 hourly or $82,680 per year on average in Pennsylvania. Nationally they average about $34 per hour or $71,450 yearly. Hydrologists earn more than people working in the category of Physical Sciences generally in Pennsylvania and less than people in the Physical Sciences category nationally. Hydrologists work in a variety of jobs, including: environmental consultant, hydrologic engineer, and volcanologist.

In 2008, there were a total of 7,407,409 jobs in Pennsylvania. The average annual income was $39,762 in 2008, up from $38,738 the preceding year. The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania was 8.1% in 2009, which has grown by 2.8% since the previous year. About 22.4% of Pennsylvania residents have college degrees, which is lower than the national average.

The top industries in Pennsylvania include railroad rolling stock manufacturing, women's' cut apparel manufacturing, and community care facilities for the elderly. Notable tourist attractions include the American Interfaith Institute, the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, and the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies.

CITIES WITH Hydrologist OPPORTUNITIES IN Pennsylvania

JOB DESCRIPTION: Hydrologist

Hydrologist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, hydrologists research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.

Every day, hydrologists are expected to be able to listen to and understand others in meetings. They need to articulate ideas and problems. It is also important that they write clearly and communicate well.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Pennsylvania include:

Astronomer. Observe, research, and interpret celestial and astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge and apply such information to practical problems.

Atmospheric Scientist. Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses.

Chemist. Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or chemical experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist. Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Utilizing knowledge of various scientific disciplines may collect, synthesize, and take action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, and other sources.

Geographic Information Systems Analyst. Study nature and use of areas of earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

Geological Specialist. Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, and seismologists.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania photo by Ed Yakovich

Pennsylvania has a population of 12,604,767, which has grown by 2.64% in the last 10 years. Nicknamed the "Keystone State," its capital is Harrisburg, though its most populous city is Philadelphia. In 2008, there were a total of 7,407,409 jobs in Pennsylvania. The average annual income was $39,762 in 2008, up from $38,738 in 2007. The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania was 8.1% in 2009, which has grown by 2.8% since the previous year. About 22.4% of Pennsylvania residents have college degrees, which is lower than the national average.

The top industries in Pennsylvania include railroad rolling stock manufacturing, women's' cut apparel manufacturing, and community care facilities for the elderly. Notable tourist destinations include the Marian Anderson Residence Museum, the American Interfaith Institute, and the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary.